The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
The Department of Public Works and Highways in Region 12 (DPWH-12) warned contractors of ongoing projects to comply with roadwork safety guidelines or face sanctions.
The warning was issued by DPWH-12 Director Reynaldo Tamayo after reports of road accidents were blamed on worn-out signages and safety barricades or on their absence in ongoing projects.
Tamayo said that, despite the issuances of several department orders pertaining to the standard systems of signs, lighting and traffic management in the implementation of construction projects, there are contractors who failed to comply.
He emphasized that visible and adequate signage and traffic-control devices must be installed at both ends of any project in progress.
He also warned contractors against stockpiling materials and construction wastes along road sections during construction and maintenance works, which pose risks and cause inconvenience to motorist and pedestrians.
The DPWH official said that for the first offense, which is issued after three violations, an erring contractor will be suspended from participating in any procurement process of the DPWH for one year.
For the next set of three violations, which constitute the second offense, the administrative penalty will be suspension from joining in the procurement process for two years.
Tamayo said these sanctions also hold true, even with those with a partnership with the contractors.
He has ordered the project engineers and district engineering offices under his jurisdiction to closely monitor the implementation of ongoing projects in accordance with the quality policy of the department to deliver projects on time.
The regional director cautioned project engineers and resident engineers in charge that they may also be penalized under the Uniform Rules on Administrative Cases in Civil Service if they fail to submit complete and verifiable three-strike report.
Project engineers and resident engineers will be reprimanded on the first offense. A one-to-30-day suspension awaits those who would be sanctioned for the second time and dismissal from service on the third.
Tamayo underscored the application of good housekeeping practices in the disposal and management of spoils and debris from ongoing and completed construction projects.
Excavated materials, including ones to be used on site, should not be left stockpiled on places where motorists, pedestrians and the traveling public may be inconvenienced.
Spoils and debris of any type, like earth, rocks, soils, demolished concrete, and asphalt pavements, should be hauled and disposed of by the contractor from the project site within the day.
If hauling or disposal cannot be made with in the day, the same shall be neatly stockpiled in jute sacks and scheduled for immediate hauling or disposal the next day to permitted solid-waste management facilities, such as landfills or on premises approved by the Department of Natural Resources, or the concerned local government unit.
Spoils and debris can be processed and utilized as backfill for construction projects, but only with the approval of the engineer.
On the other hand, construction wastes, spoils, and debris that can no longer be reused or recycled should not be dumped along and within the road right-of-way, (drainage canals, embankment slope, slope protection works, etc.), nor should these be dumped on abandoned lots, and government and private properties without express approval or clearance from lot owners and concerned national and local executives.
Thus, prior to the start of any construction project, the concerned contractor should have identified lawfully approved spoil site, Tamayo said.
For road-safety concerns, he said no open excavation, digging or open potholes on road constructions and repairs should be left without temporary covers.
For major road projects, contractors are required to have a dedicated area where materials and equipment may be stored.
For road maintenance and repairs, the district engineering office concerned should haul and dispose their waste properly.
To ensure strict compliance to road-works safety, the department has created Road Works Safety Team for each of the 16 engineering regions nationwide.
They will regularly inspect and monitor ongoing maintenance and construction projects implemented by the DPWH.
DPWH…I want to report a violation of Road work safety guidelines that cause our accident. We were traveling to Silay airport from Bacolod city last Oct 11, 2016 about 4:30 am via new airport access road, suddenly we hit a pile of sand just after the stoplight/crossing going to Talisay. There were no post lights, so dark, no early warning, there was a slow down sign but its right next to the pile of sand no reflectors no lights, nothing on the sign that you can see. We.have physical injuries, my husband have 18 stitches on his head, I have fractured leg aside from aside from our cuts and bruises. We spent 2 days in the hospital with approximately P27600 bill. The whole front end of our car was smashed and windshield is broken and need to call tow service and pay. Our cellphone was stolen from the car, we missed our flight going to Manila for our US embassy interview appointment. I cant go to work because I cant walk. Now we dont have tranportation, its important to us bec our house is on the outer limits of bacolod, now, we need to commute or pay more for taxi. All of these because a contractor didnt put proper warning before the stock pile of sand. We appreciate any help you can give us on this matter.